NO live broadcast of Nagoya basho

[Kotoviki 16]

***FWIW I and my friends did not answer any poll to the NHK and all of us wanted to have the broadcasts. I'm sure we weren't the only ones who figured we just didn't need to. Learned a lesson but still, I'm just saying.... we can't be the only ones!***

I tried to warn people... ;-) I posted the link to the NHK form in two different threads. :-O

Honestly though, I think it would be very difficult to round up roughly 7,000 more "yes" votes that would be required to equal the number of "no" votes.

I'm sorry!!! I should have and I should have forwarded it to my friends but really I didn't think it was necessary.

[kame 0]

Count me among those who fail to understand NHK being too embarrassed to show it live, but not too embarrassed to show taped matches.

Is NHK concerned that there will be demonstrations or other disruptions to their broadcasts? Are they worried that the front rows, like in MMA, will be

be filled with men in black suits who have folded their arms to hide their fingers?

Is the airtime too valuable to waste on Sumo? That might mean that it's gone for good.

Is NHK simply posturing? I don't quite get the point.

NHK is going with what its voting viewers decided, they want to save face by not siding with the Kyokai and this is a good way to do it. I would say the Japanese general public is sick with the way the Kyokai is run, led by a bunch of hypocrites.

[Kotoviki 16]

OK guys, I just got an email from Konishiki. He says we must start a petition!! He is very much against this cancelling the broadcast. He said we must do something to bring it back.

Is anyone interested in doing this? Can you spread the word at other venues as well?

[Takamizawa 0]

OK guys, I just got an email from Konishiki. He says we must start a petition!! He is very much against this cancelling the broadcast. He said we must do something to bring it back.

Is anyone interested in doing this? Can you spread the word at other venues as well?

If a petition does get made, I'll sign it. In fact, I won't just sign it, I'll give it a super massive John Hancock signing. ;-) Unless it's online... then I'll just type it.

[Jonosuke 28]

Look, let's not get too hysterical about all this.

NHK is saying they won't cover the Nagoya Basho live on TV and radio but they are implying strongly that if they will be back. So why is it so hard to take? I am deprived of watching a basho this time around but its' not the end of world.

NHK does not have an exclusivity to Ozumo broadcast. If Ozumo is so popular, why isn't another broadcaster stepping in to cover it. No one is doing that because Ozumo broadcast does not make financial sense. When was the last time anyone has seen a Bruckner's Symphony 8 on a commercial network? When was the last time you've seen a Haiku or Shogi or Go program on TV? Only a public broadcaster will do that. NHK is the only one catering to the minority because they feel strongly about the arts and traditions/customs unique to Japan. Most take for granted when they are regularly airing sumo broadcast and I distinctly recall on this forum, some are vehemently saying they will not pay their subscription fee. They are providing a service no other commercial broadcaster is willing to do.

If anyone is petitioning then petition against a commercial network to at least even provide a sumo digest program. None of them is even willing to even offer that.

NHK didn't cause this problem but the Kyokai did and the Kyokai should take a time to pause and reflect how they can regain the public confidence back. NHK simply is a mirror of the society. It's only too easy to blame the messenger.

Edited July 6, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Tochinofuji 384]

News of the broadcast cancellation has even made the front page on the BBC website!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10519787.stm

[Pippooshu 1]

OK guys, I just got an email from Konishiki. He says we must start a petition!! He is very much against this cancelling the broadcast. He said we must do something to bring it back.

Is anyone interested in doing this? Can you spread the word at other venues as well?

I'll sign it!!! ;-)

[Takamizawa 0]

Look, let's not get too hysterical about all this.

I don't think anyone's being hysterical. The polls and resulting decision proved that if a group is loud and angry enough the NHK will give in to whatever they want, and that isn't that different from petitioning a decision you don't like.

Eh enough of this. Today sucked. I'm tired. Feel better tomorrow.

And for the record, I always pay my NHK fee.

[Kotoviki 16]

I'm sorry I'm swamped with test grading till the weekend. Is there anyone willing to get the Petition going? We should write it in Japanese & English. Distribution via email? Or start here on the forum? I'll ask Konishiki if he can help me get it to the NHK people when we get some signatures going. (online is best then a printed final...)

Anyone out there got a bit of time to start it?

Now I better get to bed, got the demon spawn 5th graders in 5.5 hours.

Oh and one more thing, even a one basho cancellation, not acceptable in Konishiki's view either!!!! Not fair to the young innocent boys!

[ilovesumo 12]

What I hate the most about it- how do boys get in touch with sumo now? It is the absolute majority of current rikishi who saw Sumo ｆor the very first time ON TV!!! So how do they become interested and regular followers now??? Bet those boys from Hokkaido etc. do not come to the kokugikan each year...

IF they stop it, we get even less Shindeshi.

Edited July 6, 2010 by ilovesumo

[Jonosuke 28]

Ask any 10 year old boy who wants to become a sport star, he will tell you, Honda, Ichiro or Ryo Ishikawa but never a Goeido.

[ilovesumo 12]

OK guys, I just got an email from Konishiki. He says we must start a petition!! He is very much against this cancelling the broadcast. He said we must do something to bring it back.

Is anyone interested in doing this? Can you spread the word at other venues as well?

Ahhhm, but how good is a petition from a bunch of Gaijin?

In Europe, we got no Sumo for some years...they might wonder about that.

I activate the bloggers.

Edited July 6, 2010 by ilovesumo

[sekitori 492]

The current TV Japan schedule still lists live broadcasts of the Nagoya basho and a condensed 45 minute form of those broadcasts the following day. There is no mention of a sumo digest show. I contacted TV Japan earlier today and I just received the following reply:

"As you may already know from the news, NHK has decided not to air the next sumo tournament live due to a widespread gambling scandal involving wrestlers and stable masters, therefore TV JAPAN won't be able to broadcast Grand Sumo tournament Nagoya Basho. However, Digest version will be aired, and schedule is soon to be announced by website & spot. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you very much for your understanding".

So for those of you who subscribe to TV Japan, you will be able to follow the Nagoya basho in digest form which I'm sure will be broadcast in Japanese. A Sumo Digest broadcast may not be nearly as satisfying as watching the live basho, but it's a lot better than nothing. The worst thing about non-English sumo broadcasts is that we won't be able to hear the expert comments of our fellow forum member, Orion. :-D :-(

[Tamaikazuchi 4]

Seems I chose a great time to be a new fan. This is pretty depressing, but I expect it's a hiccup. Live coverage will be back in some form, perhaps even before the basho is finished. I am not seeing this as a doomsday situation. However, I will sign a petition if one is formed just to voice my support for Sumo.

[D-chan 2]

You beat me to it, Sekitori -- I was just thinking about emailing TV Japan. That leaves quite a hole in their schedule, as well. Maybe I'll email them, anyway.

Glad we'll get the digests, and I won't be burned out after 15 days of staying up to 2:00 am, but it's not the same as watching live. And I will miss the valuable insights of Doreen, et al.

[ilovesumo 12]

We need a Japanese/ English petition to be done online, but how to manage the data security? I have no idea about that. What about our PC-brains? :-D

[Peterao 3]

Current "digest" broadcast schedule for my HD Recorder, up to Day 4:

Day 1: 6:10-6:45 (35 minutes)

Day 2: 6:30-6:52 (22 minutes)

Day 3: 6:30-6:52 (22 minutes)

Day 4: 6:30-6:52 (22 minutes)

That's quite a bit shorter than I was expecting, but probably in line with the digest programs that they've done for previous basho.

[Peterao 3]

And...if the object of your ire is NHK, then wouldn't the most direct path to register your displeasure be not a petition, but a call/fax/mail/e-mail to NHK to register your opinion directly? That's how us screwballs got what we wanted after all, and NHK has not shut down any of those avenues of communication.

Phone: 0570-066-066

Fax: 03-5453-4000

Mail: NHK Broadcast Center, 150-8001

E-mail: http://www.nhk.or.jp/css/goiken/mail.html

[Jonosuke 28]

You beat me to it, Sekitori -- I was just thinking about emailing TV Japan. That leaves quite a hole in their schedule, as well. Maybe I'll email them, anyway.

TV Japan gets a feed from NHK. NHK already decided to cancel their covreage. Save your energy. Life can go on without sumo for a while.

After a mamber of SMAP danced naked in the middle of night in a park, their regular weekly program, one of the most highly rated shows, was put on hold. See these things happen and sumo is no exception.

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Look, let's not get too hysterical about all this.

NHK didn't cause this problem but the Kyokai did and the Kyokai should take a time to pause and reflect how they can regain the public confidence back. NHK simply is a mirror of the society. It's only too easy to blame the messenger.

Sorry Joe, I totally think you've got it all wrong. An amatuer poll run on their site is not a "mirror of the society". I don't feel the NHK are doing anyone any favor by broadcasting Sumo. I think they are forced to do so, they have no say in this. They are definitely not broadcasting because of their love for sumo. Maybe in the old days that was the case, but not lately. I think they are trying to find a way to get out of their agreement. Maybe Peterao is right and this is going to be permanent. "The Kyokai is not doing enough" is an excuse they can use forever. I think they made a big mistake, and it IS a big deal. They will pay for it, I don't know how and when, but I'll be here to remind you...

[Peterao 3]

After a mamber of SMAP danced naked in the middle of night in a park, their regular weekly program, one of the most highly rated shows, was put on hold. See these things happen and sumo is no exception.

You know, we have a lot of people here with an incredible knowledge of sumo, but you seem to be the only person who "gets" Japan itself. I wonder what sumo is like for those people without the proper cultural context? I think what they experience is something similar to watching the movie "Avatar" in black and white, only without knowing that they are watching in black and white.

[shumitto 418]

People with nothing to do whatsoever spend their "precious" time sending e-mails and letters of complaint to NHK asking the broadcaster not to show sumo; in German it is called "Schadenfreude".

Edited July 6, 2010 by shumitto

[Kintamayama 45,111]

Petitions are a waste of time-do what Benedict Arnold suggests, since he is the one directly responsible by his own admission for NHK not airing Sumo and fax or call NHK directly and scream at them in English. NHK will be back on Monday morning for sure with the broadcasts, all quaking.

[Kintamayama 45,111]

After a mamber of SMAP danced naked in the middle of night in a park, their regular weekly program, one of the most highly rated shows, was put on hold. See these things happen and sumo is no exception.

You know, we have a lot of people here with an incredible knowledge of sumo, but you seem to be the only person who "gets" Japan itself. I wonder what sumo is like for those people without the proper cultural context? I think what they experience is something similar to watching the movie "Avatar" in black and white, only without knowing that they are watching in black and white.

Sorry, but I "get" Japan almost as well as you do and understand the cultural context. I feel YOU don't get the cultural context of Sumo, since you never stop telling us you can't wait to change it and bring it up to par with what you think it should be. I did grow up in Japan for thirteen years. I know the mentality, I know how things work. I know NHK is a TV station. I know that the Japanese media is one of the most manipulative in the world. We who live outside Japan are not idiots (well, most of us..) so please save us your patronizing, with your "they" and "we". Keep it clean and above the belt, sir.

[Peterao 3]

After a mamber of SMAP danced naked in the middle of night in a park, their regular weekly program, one of the most highly rated shows, was put on hold. See these things happen and sumo is no exception.

You know, we have a lot of people here with an incredible knowledge of sumo, but you seem to be the only person who "gets" Japan itself. I wonder what sumo is like for those people without the proper cultural context? I think what they experience is something similar to watching the movie "Avatar" in black and white, only without knowing that they are watching in black and white.

Sorry, but I "get" Japan almost as well as you do and understand the cultural context. I feel YOU don't get the cultural context of Sumo, since you never stop telling us you can't wait to change it and bring it up to par with what you think it should be. I did grow up in Japan for thirteen years. I know the mentality, I know how things work. I know NHK is a TV station. I know that the Japanese media is one of the most manipulative in the world. We who live outside Japan are not idiots (well, most of us..) so please save us your patronizing, with your "they" and "we". Keep it clean and above the belt, sir.

Point taken. But would you be willing to say the same thing to shumitto for doing the same to me?

May I ask how many of your 13 years were in the Heisei era? Japan is changing, sir. Just as sumo needs to do.